Call 12: What to expect from energy audit

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By Veronica SanchezCall 12 for ActionSat Jun 15, 2013 8:46 PM

Now that the air-conditioner is cranking, it might be a good time to consider a home-energy audit.

By getting an energy audit, energy evaluation or energy assessment on your home, you can spot the vulnerabilities, fix them and lower your utility bills.

Although there are good companies out there, the Better Business Bureau is asking all consumers to educate themselves before considering an offer from a company that claims big energy savings.

Home energy audits should be performed only by a Building Performance Institute-credentialed contractor or Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) Home Energy Professional. The cost of an energy audit can vary based on size of the home and whether utilities sponsor programs, but it’s usually not free.

The audit can take several hours to perform and provides consumers with a customized assessment report of the energy usage in the home.

To help consumers avoid scams, BBB provides the following list of items that should be included in a home energy audit:

A homeowner interview to identify concerns and goals regarding the home’s energy use and comfort levels.

Test for leaks in walls and ceilings by using diagnostic equipment (blower door testing).

Check for leaks in the AC duct system.

Evaluation of insulation levels in the attic.

Combustion safety tests.

HVAC testing.

General survey of lighting and appliances.

Customized assessment report of the energy use in the home and recommendations specific to the need of the home.

The BBB offers the following tips:

Ask the company to provide a copy of its Building Performance Institute certification or RESNET information before its arrival.

Be aware of “bundled services.” After you review the recommendations with the contractor, expect to see a proposal. Make sure the proposal is broken down in labor and material costs.

Confirm with your utility company that rebates offered are valid, and contact a tax adviser regarding federal or state tax credits. Be aware that tax credits apply only to specific technologies. Visit www.dsire.org or www.energystar.gov for more information.

Know the difference between home energy consultations and home energy audits. Home energy consultations are essentially a sales consultation. The company may ask questions regarding general comfort but usually does not inspect the home or provide any comprehensive report of the home’s energy usage. Consumers should use the consultation as an opening to an energy audit. Don’t purchase solar upgrades without doing a full energy audit first.

Home energy audits can help a homeowner make an informed decision by offering comparative costs and benefits of upgrading to a higher efficiency air-conditioning unit vs. investing in a solar water heater.

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